For your health

Sunday

ROCHESTER — Tourettes Syndrome support group, Sunday, Jan. 30, Frisbie Memorial Hospital (1st floor conference room), in Rochester. Parents and children (of all ages) are welcome. The meeting will begin 2 p.m. If you have any questions contact Naomi Hanscom at naomihanscom@yahoo.com

NORTH BERWICK, Maine — Living Strong Around Food allergies, Jan 31, 6 p.m., Noble High School, A NO COST opportunity to meet others who live with food allergies. Rustie will be your guide as you share your successes,discuss problems and learn together to live strong despite food allergies. For information call 207-676-3223 or email: dbolduc@ sad60.k12.me.us

ROCHESTER — To provide caregivers of persons suffering from Alzheimer's disease and related dementias with information and support, The Homemakers Health Services will be offering an Alzheimer's Educational seminar on Saturday, Feb. 12, 9:30-11:30 a.m. at its facility at 215 Rochester Hill Road in Rochester. Free and open to the public. As seating is limited, please call Hanna Jacoby at 335-1770, ext. 108 to make a reservation or e-mail RenÚ Philpott at rphilpott@thehomemakers.org.

ROCHESTER ┐ Parents Meeting the Challenge is an eight-week educational program for parents and primary caregivers of children with emotional/behavioral disorders being offered by The National Alliance on Mental Illness New Hampshire (NAMI NH). Wednesday evenings, starting March 2, 6-8:45 p.m., in Rochester. Free to parents or primary caregivers of children with emotional/behavioral disorders. Register online at www.naminh.org/pmc or contact Laurie at 332-5649 or lsfoster@metrocast.net or Heidi at 978-7872 or Heidimatthews6666@gmail.com

SANFORD, Maine — For Caring Unlimited, York County's Domestic Violence Program, volunteers are crucial to the organization's ability to provide support and safety planning services to victims of domestic violence and their children 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This Spring, Caring Unlimited is seeking new volunteers. On Tuesday, March 8, new volunteer training will begin for Hotline Advocates, Kidworkers and Court Monitors, as well as two administrative positions. More information can be found online at www.caring-unlimited.org. Apply online, or to call Monique at 207-490-3227 x107.

ONGOING:

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of NH needs men and women to advocate for abused and neglected children in their communities. Being a CASA is a life-changing experience. Volunteers visit monthly with children assigned to them, attend all court hearings on the children's behalf, and monitor the progress of the case. Volunteers average 8-10 hours a month per case, and work with families, social workers, attorneys and judges to ensure a safe, permanent home for these children. CASA of NH invites all interested individuals to learn more about the program at www.casanh.org, or to call 800-626-0622 for more information.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance support groups in the Seacoast area meet weekly as follows:

For more information, call Ted Doan at 603-778-3160 or e-mail him at dbsaexeter@comcast.net.

Seacoast Hospice will offer their Bridges support group geared toward children, teens and caregivers who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Registration is required. Contact Deborah Proulx at 800-416-9207 or visit www.seacoasthospice.org for more information.

BARRINGTON — The Barrington Recreation Department offers Pilates classes for all abilities on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Town Gym located at 105 Ramsdell Lane. No need to register, just show up! For more information contact The Recreation Department at 603-664-5224.

DOVER — "Exploring Our Way," the Children's Museum of New Hampshire's autism partnership program, has resumed monthly programming for the 2010-2011 school year. Sessions are held on second Sundays monthly from 10 a.m. to noon at the museum. At each session, families with children with autism spectrum disorders may visit the museum at no cost. No reservations are required. Upcoming program dates: Feb. 13, March 13, April 10, May 8, June 12. For more information, contact program coordinator Paula Rais at paula@childrens-museum.org.

DOVER — A New Baby & Parent Playgroup is held Thursdays, 9-10 a.m., at the Noggin Factory. Parents can connect with other parents of infants and socialize and relax as children play. Attendance is free. For more information, contact Darcy Sauers, darcy@doverdoula.com or 603-988-5945.

DOVER — Avis Goodwin Community Health Center and Southeastern New Hampshire Services have announced a partnership to provide alcohol and drug addiction outpatient treatment to local mothers struggling with addiction. It is available to any women in the community who are either pregnant or have children under 18 and are injection and substance abusers. For more information, contact Erin Ross at eross@agchc.org or 603-516-2549.

ELIOT ┐ The Eliot Community Service Department has partnered with Curves of Eliot for a New Year's resolution for healthy living! Lose some weight and get some Curves for the summer. This group will meet at Curves for Women on Route 236 to discuss nutrition, menu planning, exercise and life skills. This program is offered to women ages 18 and up. It will meet on Tuesdays, through March 15 from 6-7 p.m. Call 207-451-9334 or visit www.eliotcsd.org.

BARRINGTON — The Barrington Recreation Department offers Pilates classes for all abilities on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. in the town gym. The gym is located at 105 Ramsdell Lane. The charge is $5 for a drop-in or $35 for a 7-week session. Registration is not required. For more information, call 603-269-1044 or e-mail Sheila Straffin at sheila.varden@gmail.com.

ELIOT, Maine — Seacoast Lyme-Aid has a support group for Lyme disease sufferers. It meets on the first Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at the William Fogg Homestead on Old Road, off Route 103. Call 207-439-9437 for more information.

EXETER — An ostomy support group is being sponsored by Exeter Hospital the first Wednesday of every month from 5-6:30 p.m. in the Exeter Healthcare building at 4 Alumni Drive, conference room 6. To register, call 603-580-6668.

NEWINGTON — The Seacoast Celiac Sprue Disease Support Group meets regularly at Great Bay Services, 2081 Woodbury Ave., across from the Fox Run Mall. A gluten-free potluck supper precedes meetings. For more information, call 603-778-1938 or 603-964-8921.

NORTH BERWICK, Maine — North Berwick Physical Therapy operates a lending library for gently-used canes, walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, etc. Individuals can borrow these items free of charge, with the hope that they will be returned for use by someone else. Donate by calling 207-676-8500 or drop items off at NBPT at 5 Burma Road, North Berwick.

NORTH HAMPTON — The Seacoast Brain Injury Support Group meets first Tuesdays monthly at 7 p.m. at the North Hampton United Church of Christ. For more information, call Lil Charron, 603-659-5769 or Rosalie Johnson, 603-749-1825.

PORTSMOUTH — A divorce support group will meet 7:30-9:30 p.m., at the Hope Christian Fellowship, 634 State St. Call 603-809-5750 for more information.

PORTSMOUTH — The Richie McFarland Children's Center is offering YogaPlay sessions at its new facility in Portsmouth at the Pease International Tradeport. call 603-778-8193 to preregister. For more information, visit www.richiemcfarland.org.

PORTSMOUTH — Sexual Assault Support Services is seeking volunteers. The organization works to prevent child sexual abuse, sexual assault and stalking while supporting victims, survivors and others affected by sexual violence. Visit sassnh.org or call 603-436-4107 for more information.

PORTSMOUTH — Parents and children can attend Families First Health and Support Center parenting classes and playgroups. For a listing, visit http://www.familiesfirstseacoast.org/calendar.html. Many programs require advance registration. For more information, call 603-422-8208 ext. 2 or visit www.FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org.

PORTSMOUTH — The New Hampshire Association for the Blind seeks volunteers in the Dover, Rochester and Somersworth areas. For more information, call Stephanie Hurd at 603-545-4345.

PORTSMOUTH/ROCHESTER — Alateen meets at following locations: Portmouth is held on Fridays 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Community Campus, 100 Campus Drive, ( follow West Road off Route 1 ) . Rochester meetings are on Mondays 7:30 to 8:50 p.m. at The Emanual Church, on Eastern Avenue ( 1/2 mile from post office.) The websight for Al-Anon / Alateen is www.nhal-anon.org.

PORTSMOUTH — The Seacoast chapter for the National Alliance on Mental Illness holds support and informational meetings on second and fourth Thursdays monthly in the Library of the Community Campus at 100 Campus Drive in Portsmouth from 7-9 p.m. For more information, call 603-431-1512.

ROCHESTER: Rochester District VNA is adding a Hospice program and is recruiting new volunteers for the program. Volunteers can offer a wide range of support to patients through companionship, reading, sharing hobbies, documenting stories, and running errands. They also can support office staff by filing or answering phones. We will be offering a comprehensive training program soon. Rochester District VNA serves patients in Strafford, No. Rockingham, Southern Belknap and Southern Carroll counties. If interested please call Ellie Atherton, Hospice Manager at 332-1133 x104 for more information.

ROCHESTER — The Rochester Brain Injury Support Group meets on second Thursdays monthly at 6 p.m. at Frisbie Memorial Hospital. Call Paula Dempsey 603-539-8718 or Doug DuFresne 603-332-9435 for more information.

ROCHESTER — The Strafford County YMCA, 63 Lowell St., offers yoga classes for people of all abilities on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. The charge is $5. No need to register, just show up! For more information contact the Y at 603-332-7334.

ROCHESTER — The Strafford County YMCA, 63 Lowell St., offers yoga classes for people of all abilities on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. The charge is $5. No need to register, just show up! For more information contact the Y at 603-332-7334.

ROCHESTER — Rehab 3 at Frisbie Memorial Hospital will offer the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program every Tuesday and Thursday on the third floor, 95 South Main St., Rochester. The Cost $20, and registration is required. Call 603-330-8952 for more information.

ROCHESTER — Frisbie Memorial Hospital is offering free weekly therapeutic knitting classes by volunteer instructor Doris Breton. Classes meet weekly on Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Frisbie education and conference center (next to the hospital) in the main hospital, first floor conference Room. Call 603-332-8257 for more information.

ROCHESTER — The Caregiver Support Group meets the fourth Thursday of the month from 5 to 7 p.m. at the ServiceLink Office, 1 Old Dover Road, Suite 6, Rochester. All are welcome. For more information, call 603-332-7398.

ROCHESTER — An Alzheimer's Support Group, facilitated by Hanna Jacoby of The Homemakers Health Services, is held from 10 a.m. to noon on the second Thursday of each month at the Frisbie Hospital Educational Building, 11 Whitehall Road, Rochester. All interested persons are invited to attend. For more information contact Hanna Jacoby at 822-2108.

ROCHESTER — "Parents Meeting the Challenge" is a support group for parents of children who have emotional challenges and is facilitated by experienced parents. Please join us at Frisbie Memorial Hospital on the second Thursday of each month, 6:30-8:30 p.m., for free, educational presentations. For more information, contact Laurie at 332-5649.

ROCHESTER — A monthly healing circle is held in the community and education center next to Frisbie Memorial Hospital on fourth Wednesdays monthly from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Call Holly Brown at 603-343-1711 for more information. Registration is not required.

SEABROOK — The Adolescent Substance Abuse Program of Seacoast Mental Health Center and Seacoast Youth Services offers a Stepping Out program. Teens get the chance to explore topics relating to family issues. Held at Seacoast Youth Services in Seabrook on Wednesdays from 5:45-6:45 p.m. Call 603-431-6703 or 603-474-3332.

YORK, Maine — Hospice of York is offering a Bereavement Support Group this winter. The Living With Loss Group will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 - 8 p.m. beginning Jan. 12 and will last for 10 weeks. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. For more information, please call Nikki at 207-475-7308.

YORK, Maine — GAM-ANON meets Saturday mornings from 9-11 a.m. at York Hospital's medical office building (the purple building directly behind the main hospital building), in the downstairs conference room. GAM-ANON is for family and friends of compulsive gamblers whose lives have been affected by a gambling problem. Spouses, parents, relatives and friends are welcome.

YORK, Maine — York Hospital offers yoga classes for people of all abilities. Seated yoga for those with limited mobility is offered as well. The Yoga Center at the Heart Health Institute is located at 127 Long Sands Road. Call 207-351-3700 to register.